Shop towel dispenser

ABSTRACT

A cabinet for storing soiled towels and dispensing clean towels, which includes a generally hollow container having an upper compartment and a lower compartment. An inclined surface is in the upper compartment urging clean towels toward the front. An opening into the compartment provides access to the clean towels, while the lower compartment has a removable receptacle for receiving soiled towels.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to storage cabinets useful for storing and dispensing clean toweling and storing soiled toweling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Particularly, this invention relates to devices used in commercial establishments such as factories and the like wherein small towels, typically hand towels, are used in substantial quantities for employees who for one reason or another, frequently need to wipe their hands. For instance, automobile mechanics, machine tool operators and the like, may frequently require small hand towels and it is convenient to have a storage dispensing device available in the factory or shop which serves both as a storage for clean towels and a receptacle for soiled towels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cabinet which stores soiled towels and dispenses clean towels which is inexpensive to manufacture and has few moving parts which can fail.

[0004] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cabinet for storing soiled towels and dispensing clean towels, comprising a generally hollow container having a front wall and a rear wall interconnected by side walls defining an upper compartment and a lower compartment, an inclined surface positioned in said upper compartment for urging clean towels toward the front wall, an opening in communication with the upper compartment providing access to the clean towels, the lower compartment storing a removable receptacle for receiving soiled towels, and an opening in the lower compartment permitting access to the removable receptacle for soiled towels.

[0005] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a cabinet for storing soiled towels and dispensing clean towels, comprising a generally hollow container having a front wall and a rear wall interconnected by side walls defining an upper compartment and a lower compartment, an inclined surface positioned in said upper compartment for urging clean towels toward the front wall, an opening in communication with the bottom of the upper compartment providing access to the clean towels, the lower compartment storing a removable receptacle for receiving soiled towels, the lower compartment having a door permitting access to the removable receptacle for soiled towels, and an opening in the door providing easy disposal of soiled towels.

[0006] A final object of the invention is to provide a cabinet for storing soiled towels and dispensing clean towels, comprising a generally hollow container having a front wall and a rear wall interconnected by side walls defining an upper compartment having an open top and a lower compartment, an inclined surface positioned in the upper compartment extending downwardly from said rear wall toward the front wall for urging clean towels in the upper compartment toward the front wall, an opening in communication with the bottom of the upper compartment providing access to the clean towels, the lower compartment storing a removable receptacle for receiving soiled towels, the lower compartment having a door permitting access to the removable receptacle for soiled towels, and an opening in the door providing easy disposal of soiled towels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the invention, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the invention, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.

[0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the towel cabinet of the present invention; and

[0009]FIG. 2 is a perspective view like FIG. 1 with the bottom compartment door open showing the storage facility for soiled towels.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0010] Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated a cabinet 10 preferably of metal having spaced apart vertically extending side walls 12 interconnected at the bottom by a bottom 13 and a back wall 14. The back wall extends from the bottom 13 all the way upwardly to the top of an upper compartment 15 which is generally open at the top and includes a reenforcement ledge 16 extending between the side wall 12. A front panel 19 extends partway down the cabinet 10 and is connected to both side walls 12.

[0011] Extending from the rear wall 14 toward the front panel 19 is an inclined shelf 21 having a flange 22 fixedly secured to the rear wall 14 by means of rivets or screws 23.

[0012] A lower compartment 25 is formed by a top wall 26 which extends between the side walls 12 and the rear wall 14 and the bottom wall 13. A kick panel 27 extends across the bottom of the cabinet 10 and a door 30 is hingedly mounted as at 31 to the cabinet 10 and extends across the opening defined by the top wall 26, the side walls 12 and a portion of the kick panel 27. The door 30 is provided with a generally rectangular or square opening 34 which has a flap 35 hingedly mounted on the inside of the door 30. Two hanger mechanisms 39 are mounted interiorly of the side walls 12 facing each other to accommodate a laundry bag 40 or other suitable receptacle for soiled towels. The door 30 is also provided with a handle 37.

[0013] Finally, at the bottom of the cabinet 10 is a flange 44 at the front of the cabinet and a pair of wheels 43 at the back to facilitate easy movement of the cabinet 10. In use, clean towels are dropped into the top of the cabinet 10 through the opening thereat into the upper compartment 15 where the clean towels contact the inclined shelf 21 and slide toward the opening between the bottom of the front panel 19 and the top wall 26 of the lower compartment 25. A laundry bag 40 or other suitable receptacle is mounted on the hanger mechanism 39 inside the lower compartment 25 and the door 30 is closed as seen in FIG. 1. Soiled towels are stored in the lower compartment 25 by inserting the soiled towels through the opening 34, the flap 35 opening inwardly into the lower compartment 25. The inventive cabinet has a number of features which are useful. For instance, it is inexpensive to construct with few moving parts and is strong enough to withstand the rough handling which occurs in factory and other commercial environments. Moreover, because of the construction with the inclined shelf 21, it is easy to load through the open top, but also facilitates the user easily obtaining clean towels and disposing of soiled towels. Because of the positioning of the laundry bag 40, the entire construction is easy to service and to operate.

[0014] While there has been disclosed what is considered to be the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is understood that various changes in the details may be made without departing from the spirit, or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention. 

We claim:
 1. A cabinet for storing soiled towels and dispensing clean towels, comprising a generally hollow container having a front wall and a rear wall interconnected by side walls defining an upper compartment and a lower compartment, an inclined surface positioned in said upper compartment for urging clean towels toward said front wall, an opening in communication with said upper compartment providing access to the clean towels, said lower compartment storing a removable receptacle for receiving soiled towels, and an opening in the lower compartment permitting access to the removable receptacle for soiled towels.
 2. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein the upper compartment is open at the top.
 3. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein said inclined surface is planar extending from said rear wall downwardly toward said front wall.
 4. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein said front wall includes a fixed portion forming part of said upper compartment and a movable portion forming a part of said lower compartment.
 5. The cabinet of claim 4, wherein said fixed portion of said front wall ends above the lower compartment providing access to said upper compartment.
 6. A cabinet for storing soiled towels and dispensing clean towels, comprising a generally hollow container having a front wall and a rear wall interconnected by side walls defining an upper compartment and a lower compartment, an inclined surface positioned in said upper compartment for urging clean towels toward said front wall, an opening in communication with the bottom of said upper compartment providing access to the clean towels, said lower compartment storing a removable receptacle for receiving soiled towels, the lower compartment having a door permitting access to the removable receptacle for soiled towels, and an opening in said door providing easy disposal of soiled towels.
 7. The cabinet of claim 6, wherein said door is vertically hinged and said opening in said door has a hinged flap.
 8. The cabinet of claim 7, and further comprising a pair of holders on said side walls in said lower compartment for positioning the removable receptacle thereon.
 9. A cabinet for storing soiled towels and dispensing clean towels, comprising a generally hollow container having a front wall and a rear wall interconnected by side walls defining an upper compartment having an open top and a lower compartment, an inclined surface positioned in said upper compartment extending downwardly from said rear wall toward said front wall for urging clean towels in the upper compartment toward said front wall, an opening in communication with the bottom of said upper compartment providing access to the clean towels, said lower compartment storing a removable receptacle for receiving soiled towels, the lower compartment having a door permitting access to the removable receptacle for soiled towels, and an opening in said door providing easy disposal of soiled towels.
 10. The cabinet of claim 9, wherein a pivoting flap is positioned over said opening.
 11. The cabinet of claim 9 and further including wheels on said cabinet facilitating easy movement of said cabinet. 